Formative Journey through ADF’s Accompaniment

Since becoming the Director of Tugdaan Mangyan Center in 1997, I have been blessed to receive guidance and support from Assisi Development Foundation (ADF) in our mission to uplift the lives of the Mangyan communities in Paitan and surrounding areas.

ADF has supported our work over the years, and in the last three years, through the Partnership with Indigenous Peoples Program, its assistance has intensified. This program aims to improve the lives of the Mangyan communities, not only in Barangay Paitan but also in three other barangays in Naujan with significant Mangyan populations.

One of the most valuable aspects of ADF’s current partnership is the formative experiences it offers to our community leaders, helping them become more resilient in protecting and improving our land despite various challenges. Among the most relevant activities were the training sessions on IP Rights, Leadership, and Sustainable Agriculture. These activities did not just provide information but also included workshops that encouraged our leaders to reflect on their experiences and develop solutions to real-life challenges.

These activities deepened our leaders’ appreciation of our ancestral domain as a vital source of life, livelihood, and community management. This realization has inspired them to intensify efforts to reclaim the Paitan Mangyan Reservation, engaging in dialogues with non-Mangyan settlers, local governments, and national agencies.

Another key opportunity provided by this project was the partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Naujan. Our consultations and meetings with the LGU have allowed us to present the concerns and aspirations of our leaders in the Paitan Mangyan Reservation. As a result, the LGU has extended technical assistance and allocated funds for the resurvey of the Paitan Reservation boundaries, reaffirming our land claim as decided by the courts. We are now hopeful that the removal of non-Mangyan settlers from our reservation will soon be enforced, bringing a final resolution to this long-standing issue.

On a personal note, my involvement in this project has broadened my perspective, not only as an administrator and teacher but also as an indigenous community leader. I strive to uphold our rights peacefully, using words, not weapons, to resolve conflicts. This experience has also helped me gain confidence in coordinating with different agencies and building relationships with many individuals who have supported our work.

Through this project, I have been able to extend our efforts beyond Paitan to other Mangyan communities. It has given me the opportunity to understand their situations better and identify emerging community leaders, particularly women and youth, who are eager to continue our work of defending and promoting our indigenous rights.

I am deeply grateful to ADF for providing these formative opportunities. This experience will serve as the foundation for our continued efforts to preserve, protect, and enrich the land and culture of the Mangyan communities. Thank you, ADF, for your unwavering support.